Chapter 9: The Question


"What have you got planned for tomorrow," Brady asked when we were cuddled up in bed after a vigorous round of extremely passionate loving. He'd pounced on me the second I walked through the door, not that I was complaining, but now I was wiped, too tired to move from the relaxing warmth of his embrace.

Tomorrow was Tuesday, generally my only regular full day off each week unless something unexpected came up. It was my slowest day, Mondays I'd have to tie up loose ends from whatever function I had over the weekend and from Wednesday on I was typically working things for the following weekend or the occasional midweek hurrah that got thrown in there to spice things up.

"Sleeping in then spending the day with you," I replied simply because I honestly hadn't given it much more thought than that. It would be eight years next month since I moved in with Brady and I still loved getting to spend the day in bed with him as much now as I did the very first time.

"Well it's fine if you want to sleep, but you'll have to do it on the plane," he said casually and it took me a moment to process his words.

"Plane? What plane?" I asked eagerly, shooting upright to stare at him incredulously and firing off questions faster than he had a chance to answer them, not that he could through his laughter anyways.

"We're going on a short vacation tomorrow. You need the break and I have something special planned to show you how proud I am of you," he eventually explained with a sweet, excited smile before sitting up to face me, leaning forward to capture my lips with his.

"But what about work? I can't just up and disappear—my busiest time of the year is just around the corner," I pulled back after a second to remind him and he settled for trailing languid kisses down the column of my neck.

My business thrived each year from the end of May through the majority of June with high school and college graduations and an abundance of weddings on top of the relatively steady flow of regular events I was hired to organize. This coming June, for the first time ever, my schedule was actually so full for a period of about two weeks that I had to turn away clients attempting to book me, referring them elsewhere.

"I already took care of that," he murmured against the base of my throat before nipping at the tender skin covering my pulse, making my eyes close and my blood pump faster, the sound roaring in my ears when he added, "your dad already has everything under control. He knows the business backwards and forwards, plus Melody and Soli will be here the whole time and they both already promised to help out whenever necessary."

My small business was booming, having expanded throughout the Olympic Peninsula and occasionally beyond that in other parts of Washington. My dad had become my business partner after retiring from construction and we now had six employees including Melody and Phil's step-daughter Ava. Occasionally we even hired Soledad Littlesea as a DJ or bartender. After years of not liking each other she had grown to be one of my closest friends and I knew my company would be safe in their capable hands.

"Really?" I asked him stunned and feeling him nod against my shoulder. I tilted my head to the side giving him better access to my neck while commenting quietly, "you really managed to take care of everything, didn't you?"

"Of course, Cupcake and it's only a week," he chuckled and I felt the gentle vibrations in his chest. "I wouldn't steal you away without making the necessary arrangements first. I know how much your business means to you."

I was so touched by what he'd done, the effort he'd put into planning this trip for us and the real respect and unwavering support he gave me in my career. Pulling him to me, I kissed him, reverently, savoring his intoxicating taste and the rush of desire it produced coursing through me, more potent for the additional contribution his hand provided pressed against my mound.

"Oh, I have to get started packing! What time is the plane leaving? Ugh! Do I even have enough time?! And where are you even taking me?" I tore myself away, leaping from the bed with a frustrated groan.

I was by nature a planner and immediately a long list of necessary tasks I would need to complete, in a very limited amount of time at that filled my head. I only made it two steps before his muscular arms wound around me, hauling me back to him where he was still reclining in bed. I fell, landing sprawled across his lap and giggling wildly.

"Relax, Beautiful. Your mom and Melody came over earlier and packed everything you'll need. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy while I pamper and spoil you," he promised, his breathing becoming shallow when I turned to straddle his hips, reaching down to grip and pump his throbbing, hot erection.

'You still haven't told me where we're going," I reminded him as a dozen possibilities flashed through the back of my mind while my focus remained on pleasing him and basking in the feel of his amazing body. I watched his lips stretch, the sides curling upward around a raspy groan of pleasure and reach over to our bedside table, where blindly grasping inside the top drawer, he managed to produce two plane tickets.

Releasing him, I eagerly snatched them from his outstretched hand and swiftly scanned the small black print to find the destination. Milan, Italy. I stared in disbelief for a few seconds, reading and rereading the words until it fully sank in. Looking up, I saw Brady anxiously watching me as he awaited my reaction. I opened and closed my mouth a couple times, the power of speech eluding me as I was too awed to form words, but that quickly passed and I squealed, tackling Brady back to the bed where I showered him with enthusiastic kisses. We were going to see Ethan and Amber. I was finally going to meet my nephews and nieces!

Dropping the tickets beside the bed where they slowly floated to the ground, I rose up over Brady again, smiling coyly at him while reaching down to position his pulsating shaft at my entrance then taking him in eagerly, groaning when I felt him fill me completely, "Uhmm."

Rocking my hips, I rode him, sliding along his hardness as he plunged deeply into me, my hips slamming down to meet his causing my sensitive bundle of nerves to rub against him enticingly. I cried out when my muscles seized up and my walls clamped tightly around him, quivering with my release as my pleasure crested and I was filled with a sublime joy. With two more thrusts Brady joined me, exploding and filling me with his hot seed as I rode out the exquisite peak of my climax while savoring the feel of Brady shuttering inside me.

We collapsed onto the soft white Egyptian cotton sheets, which were impossibly tangled beneath us. He leaned forward, resting his head in the crook of my neck. I held onto him tightly, my chest heaving against his from the exertion. I hummed in satisfaction as he lifted his head to kiss me a few seconds later.

Afterwards, I nestled in closer to him, absorbing his warmth rather than spend energy I didn't have sorting out the sheets. I felt untouchable, as if nothing could possibly penetrate the bubble of happiness engulfing me at this moment in time. My final thoughts before sleep claimed me was how it never failed to amaze me how everyday Brady succeeded in making me feel like the luckiest person alive.\

"I wish they would hurry up," I said anxiously to Brady while watching the ridiculously slow passengers in front of me pouring into the narrow aisle of the airplane, clogging the path when they unhurriedly fumbled with their bags or rudely blocked it while leisurely chatting instead of collecting their belongings and proceeding off the plane in a timely, efficient manner. I was impatient to see my family and each wasted second fueled my frustration till I was ready to scramble over seats to utilize the nearest emergency exit.

He chuckled and hugged me to him, attempting to help me relax, but not even Brady could prevent me from rapidly becoming fed up with people paying more attention to each other than they were to getting the hell out of here. My excitement for this overdue reunion was far too great, surpassing even his inherent ability to influence my mood and calm me at this point.

"Finally!" I exclaimed, sighing in relief when the congestion cleared and the line began moving forward. I surged forward, rushing to meet Amber and Ethan the instant Brady pointed them out. Ethan hugged me at once, pulling me into his warm arms before Amber had a chance to.

"I missed you, baby sis. You really are all grown up now," Ethan murmured sadly and when he let go I saw his regretful smile.

"I love you," I replied simply before hugging him again. It had been eleven years since I last saw him and he looked the same as ever. He'd wanted to visit after my abduction, but it wasn't possible with the continued tension between him and the Uley family.

He'd called twice a week, every week without fail since moving to Europe to be with Elena. I might not see him and yeah, that totally sucked, but we were still close. He helped me understand and care about things happening in other parts of the world I knew I'd never have a chance to see. I might not have finished high school or gone to college, but thanks to my brother's causes, I was as equally well informed.

After our moment ended, I paused to look around, searching the surrounding area before hugging Amber. "Are they here?! I want to meet them!" I yelled eagerly because I hadn't seen anyone else, but I was really hoping they were there anyways.

"No, it's just the two of us. We left the kids with Elena," Amber informed me, chuckling at my disappointed sigh as she hugged me tightly.

"I'll get our bags then we can head out," Brady offered, taking Ethan with him to collect our three suitcases, one for each of us and a third that was filled with gifts for the kids, leaving me and Amber free to catch up.

"Auntie Belle! Uncle Brady!" We were met by the chorus high squeaky voices greeting us when we got to Ethan's, which is where Brady and I were staying for the next week since his house was bigger than Amber's.

After dolling out gifts, we all crammed into the kitchen where I helped the kids make our trademark family recipe cupcakes. Baby Emmett and Kai were hilarious, making a huge mess of everything they touched, ending up with batter and frosting in their hair, on their clothes, on me and the others, and all over the kitchen in general. Though the biggest mess could be found on Emilia, who was trying to copy everything the boys did and with their help was in desperate need of a bath by the time we were done. Evangeline giggled adorably from her daddy Ethan's arms as she watched our adventures in the realm of baking.

As the youngest in my family, I didn't know what Ethan, Taylor, and Amber were like as kids, but Brady assured me that Emmett was very much like Amber had been while Amber's son Kai was more like Tay. Brady also swore I was much cuter than Emilia and Eva, but I knew that was impossible, he was just biased, because my brother had managed to produce the two prettiest little girls that ever existed.

Emilia was smitten with Brady and he was amazing with her, tickling and playing with her, carrying her around, helping out whenever she needed it. Watching them together made me start thinking about what it'll be like when we have kids together, something I knew I wanted, though at 26 I wasn't quite ready to get started on.

The five of us and their kids spent every minute we could together. They showed us around, making sure we saw everything worth seeing, while also giving Brady and me a chance to get to know my amazing nieces and nephews in person. Amber, Elena, and I spent one evening together, just the three of us girls while Ethan and Brady took care of the kids. I loved spending time with my family and doing so in Europe made the experience seem more glamorous. Plus Italy was absolutely gorgeous in the spring.

That Monday, the day before we were leaving, I was woken extra early by excited shouts of happy birthday as more people than I strictly felt comfortable with, came pouring into the room while Brady and I were still asleep. As an added bonus for the birthday surprise, Leticia, Embry, Jake, Nessie and their son, William, were all there as well. I had actually forgotten I would turn twenty six while we were here, having quickly lost track of time with my days constantly jam packed, full of new activities and it was an exciting surprise.

"I don't want this vacation to end, it's been perfect," I said wistfully, turning to wrap my arms around Brady's neck and he hugged me to him, gently rubbing my back while I took a moment to collect myself.

I had just finished saying my tearful goodbyes to Amber, Ethan, Elena, and their children, who had all accompanied us to the airport to see us off. I was sad to leave them; I'd miss both of my siblings and their families dearly. I wished we had more time together, but I also wished I had more time to explore Europe with Brady, just the two of us.

"Don't worry, Cupcake. We'll take another again soon," he promised dropping a kiss on my cheek and giving my waist a small squeeze before letting me go since William was already onboard waiting for us.

William, Elena's brother, had joined us for dinner the night before. I'd met him a few years ago at Randy's wedding, but he'd only been a child then. He was still just a kid, though it was hard to remember when you looked at him. He was a little quiet, not saying much during dinner, but he seemed really nice and he was great with the kids, acting much like a big brother to them, similar to how Brady had always been with Amber.

Brady had made arrangements with William beforehand and he was flying us home. I was a little leery about him piloting our plane when I first found out, but after finding out Amber trusts him enough to let him fly with Kai, I figure he must be alright cause she'd never do anything that would endanger her son, that boy is her entire world.

I was enjoying the privacy afforded to us as the only passengers by sitting cuddled up on Brady's lap, listening to his heartbeat steadily against my ear when I felt a small jolt jostle me a bit followed by a series of them, making me bounce against his chest, though his arms held me to him, acting as a seatbelt.

"Wow, what was that? Did we just land?" I asked him uncertainly, confusion and worry setting in because something must be wrong to have landed so soon.

"Seems like it," he murmured carelessly, even shrugging like it didn't matter.

"But that can't be right. We've only been gone an hour or so," I declared feeling slightly panicked.

"Don't worry, Cupcake. I'm sure everything is fine," he said calmly and almost instantly I relaxed back into him, feeling more curious than anxious now.

"Bonjour, bienvenue vers la France," William welcomed me to France.

"Brady! What is this?!" I exclaimed once I'd recovered from my shock enough to question him.

"Well, this is supposed to be a romantic vacation too and since we were here, I figured we should put those French lessons Helen spent years giving you to good use. Nothing is sexier than hearing you when you speak it."

"Je t'amie, Brady," I said lowly, staring up into his eyes and he shivered before kissing me. It took several pointed coughs to break us up.

"You're good to go," William said handing Brady a set of keys.

"Thanks for doing this. I'm glad Amber has you for a friend," I told William as I gave him a big hug goodbye.

"I'll always be there for her," he promised. He was a sweet kid, too young for Amber of course, not that she had any intention of ever giving another guy a chance, but his puppy crush was adorable and I liked knowing he was there and looking out for her should she need it.

The keys were to a car that was waiting outside for us and Brady drove us to the Cullen house in Avignon where we were staying. I couldn't stop talking the whole way there about everything we had to do while we were here. Even after we parked I kept talking animatedly all the way to the door, excitement fueling me with an endless supply of energy. He grinned, pulling me in for a kiss while reaching behind me to unlock the door. He picked me up, holding me against his chest as he walked into the house.

The floral fragrance hit me at once, cutting through Brady's rich musky pine scent to fill my head with the heady aroma of dozens and dozens of bouquets like those filling a flower shop or exotic botanical gardens. Beneath the fresh spring blossoms I detected hints of vanilla and sandalwood. All of that was on a subconscious level, however, because I was too enthralled by the divine taste of Brady's mouth to look around for the source of the scent.

"Turn around and open your eyes, Cupcake," Brady instructed against my lips as he gently set me down. Opening my eyes, I saw that he'd carried me into the sitting room just off the entryway and I gasped as I took in my surroundings.

There were flowers everywhere, roses, lilies, orchids and irises in various shades of pink, red, purple and white arranged from floor to ceiling filling the entire room. Petals were strewn across the floor and sprinkled sporadically throughout the flowers were glowing candles with flickering flames.

"Brady…" I trailed off too amazed for words before turning back to face him, but he wasn't how I'd left him. Instead, he was down on one knee holding a little black velvet box out in offering. The box was closed and dwarfed in the palm of his russet hand. He gathered both of my hands with his free hand and my stunned eyes traveled up to meet his.

It was completely unexpected. I had no idea that he planned to do this when he planned the trip and I'd been so excited about the surprise trip to France for the last half hour since we landed that I never saw this coming. Before we actually became a couple I was obsessed with the idea of us getting married, but once we were together and especially after I moved in with him, it stopped seeming like such a big deal.

In the first couple years of living together I'd still thought he'd ask right away, if only for propriety's sake since he was fairly traditional like that, but when he didn't, I eventually concluded that we wouldn't get married unless I specifically told him I wanted to. I didn't want to be one of those girls who harass their boyfriends so much that after a while he gives in and proposes just to get her off his back.

The rest of the family teased us about it constantly, pointing out all the other couples that were already married or getting married in the case of Solace and Maddox. Even Taylor gave Brady a hard time and he could only claim the Varn version of being married which included an infinity tattoo between the shoulder blades administered by Solace. It didn't bother me when they did, nor did it inspire me to broach the issue.

We were both the happiest we'd ever been and for all intents and purposes we were married. It certainly felt like we were, but seeing him before me now, I knew that there was nothing in the world I wanted more than to actually marry him and that secretly, my teenage desires for the perfect romantic wedding had never really faded. I'd simply buried them till it was the right time for both of us because I knew it would turn out to be much more meaningful and special that way.

I concentrated on breathing while I waited for him to ask because I was torn. Part of me longed to shout yes this very instant, but another, larger, part of me demanded I remain silent and hear him out, that part won in the end. He'd put so much effort into making this special for me that I wanted to do this right, I'd been waiting far too long not to.

"Annabelle, you were only a couple weeks old when I knew I'd love you for the rest of my life. You are undeniably the best thing that has ever happened to me and I don't know how I ever got lucky enough to be made for you, but I am. If you'll have me, I want to spend each day of the rest of our lives devoted to loving you and worshipping you the way you deserve, because, Annie, you are my everything," he paused, taking a deep breath and opening the box, though I didn't spare the ring a glance, I was much too focused on him, waiting till he finally said the words, "Annabelle Cameron, will you marry me?"

"YES! Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes!" I chanted, stringing the words together and throwing myself at him, both of us falling to the floor. It had taken every ounce of patience I had to let him get through that, but somehow I managed. He chuckled, kissing me back before sitting up and removing the ring from the box. I held my trembling hand out for him and he carefully slid the cool ring onto my finger.

"I was beginning to think you were never going to ask," I teased kissing him once more before glancing at the ring.

I felt my breath catch instantly. It was the most wonderful ring I'd ever seen, though I might be slightly biased, but who's judging. The diamond was a lot bigger than I expected it to be—surely it was nearly a full carat. The band, a simple delicate white gold, complimented it perfectly. I couldn't take my eyes off it, admiring how natural it looked on my finger, sighing dreamily because I knew it was exactly what my naked hand had been missing.

"You like it then?" Brady asked hopefully.

"I love it!"